Dr. FARIDA NILUFAR is a Professor of Architecture at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, (BUET) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her research is focused on Urban Morphology, Urban Design and Landscape, Water Urbanism, and Architectural Morphology. Her investigations have revealed the spatial character of Dhaka city. Developed Urban Design Policy for Dhaka in Draft Structure Plan (2016-35); Served as Environment and Urbanization Secretary in IAB; also involved in Curriculum development and Accreditation of Architectural Education. Supervisors: Prof. Julienne Hanson and Prof. Alan Penn Phone: +880 2223365633 Address: Deaprtment of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Conference Proceedings, SSS14: International Space Syntax Conference, Cyprus, Nicosia, 2024
Urban centres are major hubs for urban activity and operate as catalysts for more accessible land... more Urban centres are major hubs for urban activity and operate as catalysts for more accessible land use through promoting high-density, mixed-use, and bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly development. The spatial grids surrounding the centres have a significant impact on the morphology and growth pattern of cities because of their unique potential to provide accessibility at different levels. As cities grow, the connectivity and accessibility of these centres remain crucial, with increasing travel demand and environmental consequences. Dhaka has evolved from a city to a metropolitan region with increasing population growth and economic activities in the nearby urban areas. To guide Dhaka’s future development in a sustainable manner, the Structure Plan has focused on concentrating activities in the urban centres to reduce journeys to work andensure accessibility of various services and facilities. Dhaka exhibits a composite urban form with a diversified spatial grid characterized by a multi-nodal land use pattern that has largely evolved spontaneously through time. Hence, for efficient urban design and land use planning in these centers, the unique spatial properties of the spatial grid must be recognized, along with a careful investigation into their land use patterns. Therefore, this paper aims to determine the accessibility potential of the spatial grid around the 16 urban centers of Dhaka city with the existing land use characteristics. An 800-metre buffer area around the major public transport nodes has been considered to analyze the spatial grid of each centre. GIS-based space syntax method has been used here to interpret the functional properties of the built environment with respect to the degree of accessibility. In this regard, this study interpolated the street segment values of the angular choice analysis into adjacent street blocks of each center to demonstrate the existing land use distribution in relation to the accessibility condition. The findings have shown that in most centers, the majority of non-residential uses are concentrated in city-level accessible blocks. In contrast, in a few centers, they are primarily concentrated in blocks that are accessible at the local level. The study has also shown that, at either the local or city level, few cases have a higher share of non-residential land uses in the most accessible urban blocks, whereas in most cases, their percentage is moderate or low. The findings can aid in the spatial diagnostics of the spatial grid's accessibility condition for developing suitable urban design or land use planning needed in specific urban centers.
This research examines the spatial characteristics of domestic spaces, their use, and adaptations... more This research examines the spatial characteristics of domestic spaces, their use, and adaptations to analyse their changing morphology. It also examines inhabitants' preferences and requirements for the functional utilisation of the interiority of dwellings. Fifteen apartments in Dhaka were analysed to compare the initial design with the later modifications by occupants. The research followed an ethnographical method to depict the lives and experiences of individuals. The research has identified significant changes in activity zoning and their pattern, thus creating a new spatial organisation of the house that is different from the original design. Activity analysis reveals that most spaces are multipurpose; moreover, maintaining segregation and privacy is challenging. Lack of privacy is a significant concern during the alterations. Households are usually the extended type with a large number of members. Hence, this research finds the need for extra rooms within the given space. Another reason for alterations is the need for adequate functional space. A discrepancy exists between the dwelling space design and the actual needs and preferences of the occupants. This discrepancy highlights gaps between the designer's solution and the user demand, which prompts adjustments in the aspirations of the house through modifications and adaptations.
International Seminar on 'Future of the Past: Architectural Heritage of Dhaka, 1996
This paper will use 'space syntax' as a tool in analysing the spatial structure of Dhaka City. 'S... more This paper will use 'space syntax' as a tool in analysing the spatial structure of Dhaka City. 'Space syntax' is a theory and method for investigating the society-space relation, which takes account of the underlying difficulty in illuminating the relationship between social structure and spatial structure. The theory also defines the degree of spatial order which exists in organic and planned layouts, by analysing their spatial configurations to show the relation between local morphological properties and emergent global patterns. The first section of this paper will briefly describe the space syntax method in order to pave the way for the latter part of the text where the method be applied to the case of Dhaka.
Here, models of the 'axial structure' of the city of Dhaka are developed from cartographic records which cover the period from 1859 to 1991. Thus, the spatial structure of Dhaka City is considered over last century, through the nine different stages of its evolution for which accurate maps exist. Throughout the century, the growing city seems to have exhibited a series of informal and organic spatial patterns. Yet, despite these morphological continuities, major spatial changes at a global scale can be identified through analysis, which can be shown increasingly to have had an impact on the face of the city. Thus, the paper will try to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka at a global scale. The hypothesis guiding this investigation is that the overall spatial structures of the historical and contemporary city of Dhaka can be shown to exhibit objective configurational differences, rather than similarities which have persisted through time. The research aim is therefore to explore and quantify the nature of the spatial transformation which has taken place within the city during this period.
In addition to exploring the spatial measures which result from the use of space syntax, the spatial analysis also reveals how the existing commercial centre systematically loses its importance with each succeeding phase of growth. In the middle stages (1952, 1960, 1973) the global focus of the city shifts from the historic commercial areas of the Islampur Road and the Nawabpur Road towards Motijheel, whilst in the most recent stages of its development, the city again shifts its focus from Motijheel to the new commercial development in the Kawranbazar area. The changing pattern of integration indicates that a constant factor in Dhaka’s growth has been the pull of the new extensions at the periphery, which have brought about changes within the global core of the city with the passage of time. This leads to a conclusion that old city is becoming increasingly segregated from the life of the new core. The core has been more or less static for the last two decades, but major changes in the city morphology are still taking place as new developments are constructed in all the peripheral areas except to the south, the cumulative impact of which may be gradually to draw integration still further away from the historic heart of Dhaka. The implications of this for the long term sustainability old Dhaka are serious, and need to be taken into account in arriving at a strategy for its future conservation.
International Workshop on 'Post-Colonial Capitals of South Asia: A Critical Analysis of Chandigarh, Dhaka and Islamabad', University of Liverpool, UK, 1997
The history of Dhaka exhibits great changes in its morphological structure. The present spatial s... more The history of Dhaka exhibits great changes in its morphological structure. The present spatial structure of Dhaka has evolved from a small Hindu trading centre to a ‘Megacity’. The city has primarily grown organically and a number of planned schemes have been incorporated into the organic whole which give rise to the fundamental urban dichotomies. However, a major urban scheme was added in this organic city designed by Louis I. Kahn in 1964. At that time Kahn’s Capital Complex appeared as an isolated development where administration was kept away from the public in the existing city. In spite of such intent, the evolution of the city shows that with the gradual expansion towards north the city quarters surrounded the Capital Complex and now Sher-E-Bangla Nagar stands near the heart of the city.
This analytical paper examines the dynamics of urban growth of Dhaka. Here, models of the 'axial structure' of the city of Dhaka are developed from cartographic records which cover the period from 1859 to 1991. Thus, the spatial structure of Dhaka city is considered over last century, through the eight different stages of its evolution for which accurate maps exist. The paper tries to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka at a global scale. It shows that in the overall growth of the city, Kahn’s Capital Complex has attained immense importance by pulling the global integration core of Dhaka towards north and merging itself into the global core.
This paper will use 'Space Syntax' as a tool in analysing the spatial structure of Dhaka. 'Space Syntax' is a theory and method for investigating the society-space relation, which takes account of the underlying difficulty in illuminating the relationship between social structure and spatial structure. The theory also defines the degree of spatial order which exists in organic and planned layouts, by analysing their spatial configurations to show the relation between local morphological properties and emergent global patterns. The first section of this paper will briefly describe the space syntax method in order to pave the way for the latter part of the text where the method be applied to the case of Dhaka.
Proceedings of the Seminar on “Public Space for All’, organized by Housing and Public Works Ministry, GoB on the occasion of ‘World Habitat Day 2015’ , 2015
Open space can be defined as un-built lands within the city which provides environmental, social ... more Open space can be defined as un-built lands within the city which provides environmental, social and economic benefits for the communities that cover land and water bodies devoted to recreation, scenic beauty, conservation. In addition to their ecological and aesthetic value to urban dwellers, open spaces are used as recreational facilities either in active orin passive mode. Availability of open space for public use is an important indicator of ‘Livability’ of cities to ensure health and wellbeing of citizens. This paper presents the proposals of Dhaka Structure Plan (2016-2035) regarding open space including green network, urban and peri-urban greening, water bodies as important elements of livability of Dhaka.
Proceedings and presented in the 13th International Space Syntax Symposium, Organized by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway, 2022
The enormous growth of the population in Dhaka results in massive stress on its accommodation, in... more The enormous growth of the population in Dhaka results in massive stress on its accommodation, infrastructure, utilities, services, and other facilities. In this critical urban situation, lower-middle-income families can only avail minimal spaces for their domestic use. However, living in such small areas is challenging for these families to appropriate functional use and activities. In addition, for economic reason they rent-out part of the apartments and both families adjust within the limited spaces. All these result into physical alterations to their domestic space layouts which are originally designed by professionals.
This research aims to identify the spatial pattern of the altered morphological character of the domestic space through space syntax analysis using JASS software. Thus, it tries to find out how the altered layout reflected their social realities and how different they are from the original designed apartments in spatial terms. Fifteen apartments have been analyzed through comparing the originally built and altered layouts in relation to users functional and other social needs. The study identified significant changes in the zoning of domestic space. These adaptations have a considerable impact on the morphology of the domestic area, which retained specific characteristics from the original layout but put the apartment together in a new way. Though it is tough to maintain privacy and segregation within this limited space, it is a significant concern to the occupants during the alteration. It is identified that through control of access, use of partitions, and reallocation of activities those small apartments are altered into less ringy and more tree like configurations. All these alterations have significantly modified the integration and control values of different domestic spaces, thus altered the original layouts into a more acceptable one in social and functional terms.
Proceedings and presented (Online) in the 13th International Space Syntax Symposium, Organized by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway, 2022
Accessibility is an important influencing factor for the efficient functioning of a metro system.... more Accessibility is an important influencing factor for the efficient functioning of a metro system. Among multifaceted metro accessibility indicators this study concentrated upon the spatial configuration analysis of the local street network to assess the accessibility condition of the proposed metro stations (Motijheel & Karwanbazar) along the MRT Line-06 in CBD context of Dhaka city. Accessibility plays a significant role in deciding the location of a metro station which facilitates the efficient transfer of passenger to local destinations. Dhaka being the CBD of the fastest growing megacity of the world CBD where land value and pedestrian movement is extremely high, it is really a technical challenge to set a strategic location of a metro station considering the organic morphology of the city and promote a pedestrian friendly station precinct. Therefore, space syntax methods have been applied here to examine the accessibility pattern of the local spatial structure of the selected areas. The study tried to explore the scope of configurational analysis as a scientific tool to assess the accessibility of the proposed metro stations. Later a set syntactic measures (axial and VGA) including value of integration, connectivity, choice, and visual integration were compared to the pedestrian movement data using statistical correlation to interpret the degree of accessibility around the proposed station.
Statistical analysis revealed that the area with higher visual integration and a permeable grid network shows more correspondence with local movement and can be considered to enhance the degree of accessibility to the proposed station and integrate major entrance points of the station. In addition, the observation study suggests that land use factor such as location of high-rise buildings, bus stops, and street vendors also plays an important role as an independent attractor to generate significant movement and creates a multiplier effect which needs further detail research in this regard for a more accurate interpretation of the degree of accessibility. Therefore, through early-stage planning and analysis, the study can help planners and designers to focus on improving the accessibility and locating proposed stations in a context. In addition, space syntax can be used as a scientific tool for assessing the city’s urban grid in data scarce context and support planning process when needed.
‘People expect to return to a different workplace. Workers want a physical environment with more ... more ‘People expect to return to a different workplace. Workers want a physical environment with more space, less desk sharing including social distancing plus increased cleaning protocols, and increased support for mobile and virtual work’. --- Findings from a survey conducted by Gensler, a global design and architecture firm, during COVID-19 pandemic
Bangladesh, like many countries of the world, has decided to re-open workplaces to continue the economic activities amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we cannot go back to the “normal” until there is some vaccine and widespread testing becomes available; we need a plan for reopening offices considering this transitional stage. In this context, the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) has taken an initiative to prepare a guideline for arrangement of safer workplaces to be adopted by organizations while re-opening the offices in Bangladesh as precautions against COVID-19. This document intends to translate the available knowledge and experiences to provide suggestions and tools that will enable businesses to operate within the pandemic situation. The contents are summarized from national and international literature and guidelines that are applicable in the local context. A team of design professionals, HVAC experts and academicians has prepared, reviewed and edited the document on behalf of IAB.
Journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, ISSN 1675- 6886, 2020
Amidst the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in 2020, like many countries of the wo... more Amidst the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in 2020, like many countries of the world, Bangladesh is in the stage of establishing a number of Isolation Facilities to serve a huge number of patients. Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) has taken an initiative to prepare a basic design guideline for the Isolation Center for local architects. This document intends to translate the knowledge and experiences in controlling the spread of coronavirus in an Isolation Center for treating suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Design Guideline for Isolation Center is available as Open Source: Institute of Architects Bangladesh. Source: http://www.iab.com.bd/Site/Publication?pid=15
A concise report of the draft document established collectively by members of the ARCASIA Committ... more A concise report of the draft document established collectively by members of the ARCASIA Committee of Social Responsibility (ACSR) and ARCASIA Emergency Architect (AEA) from architects of 21 countries in ASIA. The task was initiated from May 2020 up till November 2020 through online weekly meetings, surveys, webinar and workshop with subject matter experts. The 13 guidelines are put together to manage the pandemic in the built environment. It was established as a framework for the 21 countries to localise in their respective context
Journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, Nov 21, 2020
The world is facing a Pandemic of unprecedented nature. It is an emergency. This is the Final wor... more The world is facing a Pandemic of unprecedented nature. It is an emergency. This is the Final workshop webinar to culminate the 7 months gestation of surveying, understanding, researching, discussing, and writing since May 2020 to formulate a framework or guidelines for the built environment that addresses the Asian community and locality by ARCASIA-n architects. Managed and choreograph by Ar Tony Wong, Director of AEA for ACSR and AEA, this final webinar is the 3rd webinar upon the draft completion of the guidelines for endorsement. The guidelines were initiated with the survey on the problems and issues encountered due to the Pandemic from each member country of ARCASIA, then the discussion for direction with ARCASIA representation, then with the expert panellist (medical practitioner infectious disease, architect, urban planner), This 3rd webinar includes an expert member from the community so that no one is left behind. The guidelines as the outcome of this webinar workshop are deemed comprehensive and complete. Institute of architects from member countries can continue to make adaptation to their respective local condition and requirements for the community's wellbeing
Proceedings of 3 rd International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism (ICCAUA-2020), 2020
Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, once had enormous water resources which played an importan... more Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, once had enormous water resources which played an important role in structuring settlement patterns and maintaining overall hydro-ecological equilibrium. Eastern Periphery, the essential spontaneous territory of the Dhaka Metropolitan Area (DMA) still have a traditional setting integrating natural
landscape for production, transportation, open space network towards water sensitive urban development. But, city’s present development activities for this part as well as the entire city do not respect the deep geo-morphological nature of the territory. Thus, the city failed to protect and integrate these essential natural water bodies with the built environment and creating adverse effects on flooding, waterlogging and other environmental conditions. To address the present urban crisis associated with water, it is essential to search for strategies to protect the mandatory water bodies and integrate those in the land development process. The traditional way of integrating natural land-water resources for hydrological-ecological performance is required to discover from the territorial settings and incorporate those through strategies. The physiographical characteristics of the land-water interface have a direct reflection of
the regional hydrology. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the physical pattern and process of the water edge from the traditional settlement of the eastern fringe of DMA. A comprehensive framework will be developed to analyze the multiple samples from the study area to extract general landscape practices from the study area. Finally, the identified landscape pattern and processes will be suggested as urban design guidelines which will help in highlighting the possible ways of structuring waterside areas in such deltaic city towards water sensitive urban development.
Proceedings of the 12th Space Syntax Symposium (SSS12) Organized by Beijing Jiaotong University, at Beijing, 2019
Ready Made Garments (RMG) sector has significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of... more Ready Made Garments (RMG) sector has significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh. However, this sector is subjected to fire hazard which has been identified as one of the major vulnerability causing death to a huge number of workers. Therefore, in addition to common concerns of factory design like efficiency and functionality, tackling fire issues are also considered as an important determinant of spatial layout. As spatial grid is a generator of movement, the spatial layout of factory buildings has significant impact on directing all types of movement of the occupants including evacuation. Fire drill is a preventive procedure to train-up the occupants aiming a smooth evacuation in order to reduce the vulnerability of fire. Along with fire fighting measures, the 'spatial layout' of a factory building especially its morphology has a significant role to ensure the effectiveness of fire drills. It is recognized that a suitable spatial layout may help the process of fire drill to be more effective. This research has examined the 'spatial layout' of six RMG factory buildings particularly their production areas and observed occupants' movement during fire drills. Space Syntax methods, both axial and visual graph analysis, have been applied to determine the morphological attributes of spatial layouts and to identify possible route of 'natural movements' of occupants. An agent-based simulation has also been undertaken following the theory of Space Syntax to identify the possible routes of evacuation movement determined by the spatial grid in relation to exits. Finally, by comparing the observed and simulated movement data in relation to the basic morphological attributes of the spatial layout, this research identified that the significant morphological characteristics, like axial and visual integration as well as connectivity, of a spatial layout can be good indicators in selecting location of primary aisles and exit doors. These primary aisles as regular movement routes have significant influence on the cognition of the workers. Being selected as part of evacuation route, these aisles play an important role in preparing an effective evacuation plan for RMG factories. Moreover, morphological attributes of exits location also have major impact in ensuring safe and effective evacuation. However, the cumulative paths yielded from both conditions, i.e. virtual and observed, differs considerably, which apparently contradicts studies demonstrating that movement patterns in virtual and real conditions correlate. In fact, 'evacuation movement' in this study was highly task oriented, i.e. reaching the exit doors within a shortest time, was different from other non-task oriented behaviours. Theoretically evacuation movements supposed to follow restricted routes as oppose to free routes of 'natural movement'; however, it can be suggested here that to ensure an effective escape route, the 'evacuation movement' should correspond to 'natural movement' for which the inmates would be confident to follow those being familiar. Moreover, the configuration of space needs to accommodate the primary aisles and exit doors in such a manner that these important elements of evacuation are located in accessible and connected locations within the visual field of the occupants.
Journal of Environmental Design and Planning: ‘Nakhara’, 2019
This study explores the effects of growth on the urban morphology and the land use pattern of a h... more This study explores the effects of growth on the urban morphology and the land use pattern of a historic town Mymensingh, by analyzing the morphological transformation through Space Syntax along with the changes of land-use pattern. Mymensingh is one of the oldest and historic towns of Bangladesh that lies along the river Brahmaputra. This town was developed as an urban conglomeration during the period of the British colonists more than two hundred years ago. Through the juxtaposition of different establishments by the British colonists, local land-lords and local inhabitants at different time periods, a unique type of morphological pattern was created. Local establishments were developed within the organized colonial grids. Through the ages, the town has expanded due to the natural process of growth and change; the small colonial town has become a larger one. According to Space Syntax, urban street configuration is considered as the most dominant factor for spontaneous development of different land-uses - where business and commercial uses naturally develops along the most integrated part of an urban grid. So, there exist a close correlation between urban morphology and land-use patterns. In the study, the effects of growth patterns of the town are analyzed through morphological analysis of Space Syntax at different time periods along with the corresponding land-use patterns. The study result shows that, though the town has expanded over time, still now the core part of the historic town acts as the morphological and functional centre as well. The planning process of such towns should be unique and sensitive considering the inherent morphology and land-use pattern for the sustainable growth of the town in future rather following the usual planning process.
Research Report, Research funded and approed by University Grants Commission (UGC), 2019
RMG sector has made a significant contribution to the socio-economic structure of Bangladesh. How... more RMG sector has made a significant contribution to the socio-economic structure of Bangladesh. However, this sector is subjected to fire hazard which has been identified as one of the major vulnerability of RMG factories causing death to a huge number of workers. According to National Building Code and Safety Guidelines of Labour Law, fire-drill is an important measure which is practiced on a regular interval by the workers to reduce the vulnerability of fire in these factory buildings, under the guidance of Fire Defense Authority. Along with fire fighting measures and regular training, the ‘Spatial Layout’ of a factory building especially its morphology has a significant role to ensure the effectiveness of such fire drills. Spatial Layout indicates the arrangement of fixed building elements like stairs, exit doors, aisles, partitions; and movable elements, like a machine, equipment, furniture, fixture, etc., on the floor plan of the building. As spatial grid is a generator of movement, the spatial layout of factory buildings has significant impact on directing all types of movement of the occupants. It is recognized that a suitable spatial layout may help the process of a fire drill to be more effective, thereby, will reduce the vulnerability in case of fire.
This research has examined the ‘spatial layout’ of RMG factory buildings particularly that of production areas. Observational techniques and Space Syntax methods, both axial and visual graph analysis, have been applied to determine the morphological attributes of exiting spatial layouts and identify possible route of ‘natural movements’ of the occupants. An agent-based simulation is also undertaken following the theory of Space Syntax to identify the possible routes of evacuation movement determined by the spatial grid in relation to exits. Finally, by comparing the observed and simulated movement data in relation to the basic morphological attributes of the spatial layout, this research identified that the significant morphological characteristics, like axial and visual integration as well as connectivity, of a spatial layout bear significant relation with the primary aisles and exit locations. These primary aisles as regular movement routes have significant influence on the cognition of the workers. Being selected as part of evacuation route, these aisles play an important role in preparing an effective evacuation plan of RMG factories in Bangladesh. Moreover, morphological attributes of exits location also have major impact in ensuring safe and effective evacuation. However, the cumulative paths yielded from both conditions, i.e. virtual and observed, differs considerably, which apparently contradicts studies demonstrating that movement patterns in virtual and real conditions correlate. In fact, ‘evacuation movement’ in this study was highly task oriented, i.e. reaching the exit doors within a shortest time, was different from other non-task oriented behaviours. Theoretically evacuation movements supposed to follow restricted routes as oppose to free routes of ‘natural movement’; however, it can be suggested here that in an effective escape route ‘evacuation movement’ should correspond to ‘natural movement’ and inmates would be confident to follow those being familiar because of their regular movement. Moreover, the configuration of space needs to accommodate the primary aisles and exit doors in such a manner that these important elements of evacuation are located in accessible and connected locations within the visual field of the occupants. In addition, length of aisles and the number of turns, particularly near the exits to be supportive to the evacuation process.
In four hundred years history Dhaka has grown from a small trading town to a Megacity. With
the p... more In four hundred years history Dhaka has grown from a small trading town to a Megacity. With the passage of time an organic morphological pattern has been spontaneously developed without any rigid planning proposal. In terms of established planning principles the character of Dhaka is seen as a confused urban sprawl. However, the organic cities reflect the ‘community spirit’, hence the spatial structure of Dhaka is generally developed according to the aspiration of its inhabitants. Within the apparent spatial disorder of the developing city, people must have a territorial need for identity and place. Indeed, the Mohallas, i.e. the historic neighbourhoods in old Dhaka had a territorial base, which revealed a social segregation, symbolised by geographical definition. At present it is urgent to identify the essential components of urban morphology in order to sustain the urban condition necessary for the continuation of our cultural milieu amid rapid urban transformation. The present paper has an abiding interest in analysing the visible form or morphology of the megacity in order to identify its different territorial units having a distinct social as well as spatial identity in the image of its inhabitants. In this pursuit a cognitive search has been undertaken, as it seems imperative to evaluate the city structure from citizen’s standpoint in order to understand their inner logic, both the social and spatial. This research represents a departure from the academic’s city to that of the people who live and work in it. In this paper an urban mosaic as perceived by the inhabitants is tried to be defined from subjective view of the residents’ rather than from the objective social or ecological criterion. The value relates to the fact that it reveals the images of the city of everyday users; therefore, seems to be a way of introducing public participation into design process. It is revealed that the megacity, Dhaka, is being made meaningful by naming, classifying and ordering in a hierarchy of different territorial units in anthropological cognition. Thus it shows that within the apparent morphological disorder in an organic megacity, a tree like mental organisation exists in cognitive image of the inhabitants. Such findings may contradict with theoretical argument that forwards an overlapping spatial structure in organic cities in correspondence to its social realities. In fact, the patterns of social behaviour attribute another level to this hierarchical order of territorial units which is focused in an extended part of the research. However, this present paper only concentrates on the morphological order of the local areas as cognised. It would be a new direction to the authority for sustainable community development and megacity management.
Proceedings of ‘Making built environments responsive’: 8th International Conference of Faculty of Architecture Research Unit (FARU); Organized by University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka; held in Colombo, Sri Lanka , 2015
The pattern of urban growth is dictated by a complex interaction of place-specific factors in ind... more The pattern of urban growth is dictated by a complex interaction of place-specific factors in individual cities including geography, history, lifestyle, economies and administration. City’s natural growth gradually defines its main economic centers and sub-centers according to spatial organization of its urban structure. In some cases of induced development planning, agglomeration of small towns forms a bigger city boundary for administrative operation. Narayanganj city, a port city of Bangladesh, is similar to this case, which was formed by joining three municipalities in 2011. As commercial activities takes place in the most integrated part of a city, administrative agglomeration of small towns largely depends on their economic activity cluster pattern. The spatial parameters of a city can evaluate accumulation of economic activities within an urban structure, in accordance with hierarchical arrangement of centers and sub-centers. Lack of proper agglomeration of economies among centers may cause city malfunctioning. Hence identifying potential sub-centers increases hierarchical connectivity with centers. While analyzing city configuration with Space Syntax theory, movement & commercial growth within a given boundary can be predicted. This paper tries to analyze agglomeration efficiency of economic activities among three municipalities of Narayanganj working as a whole, also study potential sub-center locations for hierarchical city structure as well.
Proceedings of ‘Making built environments responsive’: 8th International Conference of Faculty of Architecture Research Unit (FARU), 2015
Crime like drug dealing in public places of cities is a widespread phenomenon. This paper reports... more Crime like drug dealing in public places of cities is a widespread phenomenon. This paper reports on the findings from the case study on illegal drug crime in one of the prime locations of Narayanganj City Corporation. The physical location of 216 incidents of illegal drug dealing is analyzed here with respect to spatial configuration of streets and corresponding land use. The main focus was on testing the hypothesis supported by the Crime Pattern theory that drug dealing is more likely to happen in areas which are near streets or places that triggers a flow of good number of people at a regular basis. The main tool used in this paper is Space Syntax methodology. Here integration (HH), control and weighted optimal local choice levels of streets at reported locations are considered while using the space syntax methodology. The aim of the paper is to identify the spatial attribute of drug crime locations to help the crime control authorities for identifying crime zones easily so that they can act proactive rather than reactive. Results show that, street accessibility, proximity to specific land use, the number of intersections that need to be crossed to reach a street at a local level and their angle of visibility has a significant effect on location choice of drug dealing. Rational choices (to movement) of streets and mixed-use residential areas with close proximity to poorly integrated streets show more vulnerability for becoming selling point of drugs. Also the streets having drug crime record show an inverse relation between streets control value and weighted choice value at local level. These results indicate that spatial attributes while explored can help to control the potential crimes in cities and create a responsive environment in social terms. FARU International Research Conference 2015 Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
“Making built environments responsive” December 11- 12, 2015,
Conference Proceedings, SSS14: International Space Syntax Conference, Cyprus, Nicosia, 2024
Urban centres are major hubs for urban activity and operate as catalysts for more accessible land... more Urban centres are major hubs for urban activity and operate as catalysts for more accessible land use through promoting high-density, mixed-use, and bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly development. The spatial grids surrounding the centres have a significant impact on the morphology and growth pattern of cities because of their unique potential to provide accessibility at different levels. As cities grow, the connectivity and accessibility of these centres remain crucial, with increasing travel demand and environmental consequences. Dhaka has evolved from a city to a metropolitan region with increasing population growth and economic activities in the nearby urban areas. To guide Dhaka’s future development in a sustainable manner, the Structure Plan has focused on concentrating activities in the urban centres to reduce journeys to work andensure accessibility of various services and facilities. Dhaka exhibits a composite urban form with a diversified spatial grid characterized by a multi-nodal land use pattern that has largely evolved spontaneously through time. Hence, for efficient urban design and land use planning in these centers, the unique spatial properties of the spatial grid must be recognized, along with a careful investigation into their land use patterns. Therefore, this paper aims to determine the accessibility potential of the spatial grid around the 16 urban centers of Dhaka city with the existing land use characteristics. An 800-metre buffer area around the major public transport nodes has been considered to analyze the spatial grid of each centre. GIS-based space syntax method has been used here to interpret the functional properties of the built environment with respect to the degree of accessibility. In this regard, this study interpolated the street segment values of the angular choice analysis into adjacent street blocks of each center to demonstrate the existing land use distribution in relation to the accessibility condition. The findings have shown that in most centers, the majority of non-residential uses are concentrated in city-level accessible blocks. In contrast, in a few centers, they are primarily concentrated in blocks that are accessible at the local level. The study has also shown that, at either the local or city level, few cases have a higher share of non-residential land uses in the most accessible urban blocks, whereas in most cases, their percentage is moderate or low. The findings can aid in the spatial diagnostics of the spatial grid's accessibility condition for developing suitable urban design or land use planning needed in specific urban centers.
This research examines the spatial characteristics of domestic spaces, their use, and adaptations... more This research examines the spatial characteristics of domestic spaces, their use, and adaptations to analyse their changing morphology. It also examines inhabitants' preferences and requirements for the functional utilisation of the interiority of dwellings. Fifteen apartments in Dhaka were analysed to compare the initial design with the later modifications by occupants. The research followed an ethnographical method to depict the lives and experiences of individuals. The research has identified significant changes in activity zoning and their pattern, thus creating a new spatial organisation of the house that is different from the original design. Activity analysis reveals that most spaces are multipurpose; moreover, maintaining segregation and privacy is challenging. Lack of privacy is a significant concern during the alterations. Households are usually the extended type with a large number of members. Hence, this research finds the need for extra rooms within the given space. Another reason for alterations is the need for adequate functional space. A discrepancy exists between the dwelling space design and the actual needs and preferences of the occupants. This discrepancy highlights gaps between the designer's solution and the user demand, which prompts adjustments in the aspirations of the house through modifications and adaptations.
International Seminar on 'Future of the Past: Architectural Heritage of Dhaka, 1996
This paper will use 'space syntax' as a tool in analysing the spatial structure of Dhaka City. 'S... more This paper will use 'space syntax' as a tool in analysing the spatial structure of Dhaka City. 'Space syntax' is a theory and method for investigating the society-space relation, which takes account of the underlying difficulty in illuminating the relationship between social structure and spatial structure. The theory also defines the degree of spatial order which exists in organic and planned layouts, by analysing their spatial configurations to show the relation between local morphological properties and emergent global patterns. The first section of this paper will briefly describe the space syntax method in order to pave the way for the latter part of the text where the method be applied to the case of Dhaka.
Here, models of the 'axial structure' of the city of Dhaka are developed from cartographic records which cover the period from 1859 to 1991. Thus, the spatial structure of Dhaka City is considered over last century, through the nine different stages of its evolution for which accurate maps exist. Throughout the century, the growing city seems to have exhibited a series of informal and organic spatial patterns. Yet, despite these morphological continuities, major spatial changes at a global scale can be identified through analysis, which can be shown increasingly to have had an impact on the face of the city. Thus, the paper will try to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka at a global scale. The hypothesis guiding this investigation is that the overall spatial structures of the historical and contemporary city of Dhaka can be shown to exhibit objective configurational differences, rather than similarities which have persisted through time. The research aim is therefore to explore and quantify the nature of the spatial transformation which has taken place within the city during this period.
In addition to exploring the spatial measures which result from the use of space syntax, the spatial analysis also reveals how the existing commercial centre systematically loses its importance with each succeeding phase of growth. In the middle stages (1952, 1960, 1973) the global focus of the city shifts from the historic commercial areas of the Islampur Road and the Nawabpur Road towards Motijheel, whilst in the most recent stages of its development, the city again shifts its focus from Motijheel to the new commercial development in the Kawranbazar area. The changing pattern of integration indicates that a constant factor in Dhaka’s growth has been the pull of the new extensions at the periphery, which have brought about changes within the global core of the city with the passage of time. This leads to a conclusion that old city is becoming increasingly segregated from the life of the new core. The core has been more or less static for the last two decades, but major changes in the city morphology are still taking place as new developments are constructed in all the peripheral areas except to the south, the cumulative impact of which may be gradually to draw integration still further away from the historic heart of Dhaka. The implications of this for the long term sustainability old Dhaka are serious, and need to be taken into account in arriving at a strategy for its future conservation.
International Workshop on 'Post-Colonial Capitals of South Asia: A Critical Analysis of Chandigarh, Dhaka and Islamabad', University of Liverpool, UK, 1997
The history of Dhaka exhibits great changes in its morphological structure. The present spatial s... more The history of Dhaka exhibits great changes in its morphological structure. The present spatial structure of Dhaka has evolved from a small Hindu trading centre to a ‘Megacity’. The city has primarily grown organically and a number of planned schemes have been incorporated into the organic whole which give rise to the fundamental urban dichotomies. However, a major urban scheme was added in this organic city designed by Louis I. Kahn in 1964. At that time Kahn’s Capital Complex appeared as an isolated development where administration was kept away from the public in the existing city. In spite of such intent, the evolution of the city shows that with the gradual expansion towards north the city quarters surrounded the Capital Complex and now Sher-E-Bangla Nagar stands near the heart of the city.
This analytical paper examines the dynamics of urban growth of Dhaka. Here, models of the 'axial structure' of the city of Dhaka are developed from cartographic records which cover the period from 1859 to 1991. Thus, the spatial structure of Dhaka city is considered over last century, through the eight different stages of its evolution for which accurate maps exist. The paper tries to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka at a global scale. It shows that in the overall growth of the city, Kahn’s Capital Complex has attained immense importance by pulling the global integration core of Dhaka towards north and merging itself into the global core.
This paper will use 'Space Syntax' as a tool in analysing the spatial structure of Dhaka. 'Space Syntax' is a theory and method for investigating the society-space relation, which takes account of the underlying difficulty in illuminating the relationship between social structure and spatial structure. The theory also defines the degree of spatial order which exists in organic and planned layouts, by analysing their spatial configurations to show the relation between local morphological properties and emergent global patterns. The first section of this paper will briefly describe the space syntax method in order to pave the way for the latter part of the text where the method be applied to the case of Dhaka.
Proceedings of the Seminar on “Public Space for All’, organized by Housing and Public Works Ministry, GoB on the occasion of ‘World Habitat Day 2015’ , 2015
Open space can be defined as un-built lands within the city which provides environmental, social ... more Open space can be defined as un-built lands within the city which provides environmental, social and economic benefits for the communities that cover land and water bodies devoted to recreation, scenic beauty, conservation. In addition to their ecological and aesthetic value to urban dwellers, open spaces are used as recreational facilities either in active orin passive mode. Availability of open space for public use is an important indicator of ‘Livability’ of cities to ensure health and wellbeing of citizens. This paper presents the proposals of Dhaka Structure Plan (2016-2035) regarding open space including green network, urban and peri-urban greening, water bodies as important elements of livability of Dhaka.
Proceedings and presented in the 13th International Space Syntax Symposium, Organized by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway, 2022
The enormous growth of the population in Dhaka results in massive stress on its accommodation, in... more The enormous growth of the population in Dhaka results in massive stress on its accommodation, infrastructure, utilities, services, and other facilities. In this critical urban situation, lower-middle-income families can only avail minimal spaces for their domestic use. However, living in such small areas is challenging for these families to appropriate functional use and activities. In addition, for economic reason they rent-out part of the apartments and both families adjust within the limited spaces. All these result into physical alterations to their domestic space layouts which are originally designed by professionals.
This research aims to identify the spatial pattern of the altered morphological character of the domestic space through space syntax analysis using JASS software. Thus, it tries to find out how the altered layout reflected their social realities and how different they are from the original designed apartments in spatial terms. Fifteen apartments have been analyzed through comparing the originally built and altered layouts in relation to users functional and other social needs. The study identified significant changes in the zoning of domestic space. These adaptations have a considerable impact on the morphology of the domestic area, which retained specific characteristics from the original layout but put the apartment together in a new way. Though it is tough to maintain privacy and segregation within this limited space, it is a significant concern to the occupants during the alteration. It is identified that through control of access, use of partitions, and reallocation of activities those small apartments are altered into less ringy and more tree like configurations. All these alterations have significantly modified the integration and control values of different domestic spaces, thus altered the original layouts into a more acceptable one in social and functional terms.
Proceedings and presented (Online) in the 13th International Space Syntax Symposium, Organized by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway, 2022
Accessibility is an important influencing factor for the efficient functioning of a metro system.... more Accessibility is an important influencing factor for the efficient functioning of a metro system. Among multifaceted metro accessibility indicators this study concentrated upon the spatial configuration analysis of the local street network to assess the accessibility condition of the proposed metro stations (Motijheel & Karwanbazar) along the MRT Line-06 in CBD context of Dhaka city. Accessibility plays a significant role in deciding the location of a metro station which facilitates the efficient transfer of passenger to local destinations. Dhaka being the CBD of the fastest growing megacity of the world CBD where land value and pedestrian movement is extremely high, it is really a technical challenge to set a strategic location of a metro station considering the organic morphology of the city and promote a pedestrian friendly station precinct. Therefore, space syntax methods have been applied here to examine the accessibility pattern of the local spatial structure of the selected areas. The study tried to explore the scope of configurational analysis as a scientific tool to assess the accessibility of the proposed metro stations. Later a set syntactic measures (axial and VGA) including value of integration, connectivity, choice, and visual integration were compared to the pedestrian movement data using statistical correlation to interpret the degree of accessibility around the proposed station.
Statistical analysis revealed that the area with higher visual integration and a permeable grid network shows more correspondence with local movement and can be considered to enhance the degree of accessibility to the proposed station and integrate major entrance points of the station. In addition, the observation study suggests that land use factor such as location of high-rise buildings, bus stops, and street vendors also plays an important role as an independent attractor to generate significant movement and creates a multiplier effect which needs further detail research in this regard for a more accurate interpretation of the degree of accessibility. Therefore, through early-stage planning and analysis, the study can help planners and designers to focus on improving the accessibility and locating proposed stations in a context. In addition, space syntax can be used as a scientific tool for assessing the city’s urban grid in data scarce context and support planning process when needed.
‘People expect to return to a different workplace. Workers want a physical environment with more ... more ‘People expect to return to a different workplace. Workers want a physical environment with more space, less desk sharing including social distancing plus increased cleaning protocols, and increased support for mobile and virtual work’. --- Findings from a survey conducted by Gensler, a global design and architecture firm, during COVID-19 pandemic
Bangladesh, like many countries of the world, has decided to re-open workplaces to continue the economic activities amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we cannot go back to the “normal” until there is some vaccine and widespread testing becomes available; we need a plan for reopening offices considering this transitional stage. In this context, the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) has taken an initiative to prepare a guideline for arrangement of safer workplaces to be adopted by organizations while re-opening the offices in Bangladesh as precautions against COVID-19. This document intends to translate the available knowledge and experiences to provide suggestions and tools that will enable businesses to operate within the pandemic situation. The contents are summarized from national and international literature and guidelines that are applicable in the local context. A team of design professionals, HVAC experts and academicians has prepared, reviewed and edited the document on behalf of IAB.
Journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, ISSN 1675- 6886, 2020
Amidst the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in 2020, like many countries of the wo... more Amidst the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in 2020, like many countries of the world, Bangladesh is in the stage of establishing a number of Isolation Facilities to serve a huge number of patients. Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) has taken an initiative to prepare a basic design guideline for the Isolation Center for local architects. This document intends to translate the knowledge and experiences in controlling the spread of coronavirus in an Isolation Center for treating suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Design Guideline for Isolation Center is available as Open Source: Institute of Architects Bangladesh. Source: http://www.iab.com.bd/Site/Publication?pid=15
A concise report of the draft document established collectively by members of the ARCASIA Committ... more A concise report of the draft document established collectively by members of the ARCASIA Committee of Social Responsibility (ACSR) and ARCASIA Emergency Architect (AEA) from architects of 21 countries in ASIA. The task was initiated from May 2020 up till November 2020 through online weekly meetings, surveys, webinar and workshop with subject matter experts. The 13 guidelines are put together to manage the pandemic in the built environment. It was established as a framework for the 21 countries to localise in their respective context
Journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, Nov 21, 2020
The world is facing a Pandemic of unprecedented nature. It is an emergency. This is the Final wor... more The world is facing a Pandemic of unprecedented nature. It is an emergency. This is the Final workshop webinar to culminate the 7 months gestation of surveying, understanding, researching, discussing, and writing since May 2020 to formulate a framework or guidelines for the built environment that addresses the Asian community and locality by ARCASIA-n architects. Managed and choreograph by Ar Tony Wong, Director of AEA for ACSR and AEA, this final webinar is the 3rd webinar upon the draft completion of the guidelines for endorsement. The guidelines were initiated with the survey on the problems and issues encountered due to the Pandemic from each member country of ARCASIA, then the discussion for direction with ARCASIA representation, then with the expert panellist (medical practitioner infectious disease, architect, urban planner), This 3rd webinar includes an expert member from the community so that no one is left behind. The guidelines as the outcome of this webinar workshop are deemed comprehensive and complete. Institute of architects from member countries can continue to make adaptation to their respective local condition and requirements for the community's wellbeing
Proceedings of 3 rd International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism (ICCAUA-2020), 2020
Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, once had enormous water resources which played an importan... more Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, once had enormous water resources which played an important role in structuring settlement patterns and maintaining overall hydro-ecological equilibrium. Eastern Periphery, the essential spontaneous territory of the Dhaka Metropolitan Area (DMA) still have a traditional setting integrating natural
landscape for production, transportation, open space network towards water sensitive urban development. But, city’s present development activities for this part as well as the entire city do not respect the deep geo-morphological nature of the territory. Thus, the city failed to protect and integrate these essential natural water bodies with the built environment and creating adverse effects on flooding, waterlogging and other environmental conditions. To address the present urban crisis associated with water, it is essential to search for strategies to protect the mandatory water bodies and integrate those in the land development process. The traditional way of integrating natural land-water resources for hydrological-ecological performance is required to discover from the territorial settings and incorporate those through strategies. The physiographical characteristics of the land-water interface have a direct reflection of
the regional hydrology. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the physical pattern and process of the water edge from the traditional settlement of the eastern fringe of DMA. A comprehensive framework will be developed to analyze the multiple samples from the study area to extract general landscape practices from the study area. Finally, the identified landscape pattern and processes will be suggested as urban design guidelines which will help in highlighting the possible ways of structuring waterside areas in such deltaic city towards water sensitive urban development.
Proceedings of the 12th Space Syntax Symposium (SSS12) Organized by Beijing Jiaotong University, at Beijing, 2019
Ready Made Garments (RMG) sector has significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of... more Ready Made Garments (RMG) sector has significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh. However, this sector is subjected to fire hazard which has been identified as one of the major vulnerability causing death to a huge number of workers. Therefore, in addition to common concerns of factory design like efficiency and functionality, tackling fire issues are also considered as an important determinant of spatial layout. As spatial grid is a generator of movement, the spatial layout of factory buildings has significant impact on directing all types of movement of the occupants including evacuation. Fire drill is a preventive procedure to train-up the occupants aiming a smooth evacuation in order to reduce the vulnerability of fire. Along with fire fighting measures, the 'spatial layout' of a factory building especially its morphology has a significant role to ensure the effectiveness of fire drills. It is recognized that a suitable spatial layout may help the process of fire drill to be more effective. This research has examined the 'spatial layout' of six RMG factory buildings particularly their production areas and observed occupants' movement during fire drills. Space Syntax methods, both axial and visual graph analysis, have been applied to determine the morphological attributes of spatial layouts and to identify possible route of 'natural movements' of occupants. An agent-based simulation has also been undertaken following the theory of Space Syntax to identify the possible routes of evacuation movement determined by the spatial grid in relation to exits. Finally, by comparing the observed and simulated movement data in relation to the basic morphological attributes of the spatial layout, this research identified that the significant morphological characteristics, like axial and visual integration as well as connectivity, of a spatial layout can be good indicators in selecting location of primary aisles and exit doors. These primary aisles as regular movement routes have significant influence on the cognition of the workers. Being selected as part of evacuation route, these aisles play an important role in preparing an effective evacuation plan for RMG factories. Moreover, morphological attributes of exits location also have major impact in ensuring safe and effective evacuation. However, the cumulative paths yielded from both conditions, i.e. virtual and observed, differs considerably, which apparently contradicts studies demonstrating that movement patterns in virtual and real conditions correlate. In fact, 'evacuation movement' in this study was highly task oriented, i.e. reaching the exit doors within a shortest time, was different from other non-task oriented behaviours. Theoretically evacuation movements supposed to follow restricted routes as oppose to free routes of 'natural movement'; however, it can be suggested here that to ensure an effective escape route, the 'evacuation movement' should correspond to 'natural movement' for which the inmates would be confident to follow those being familiar. Moreover, the configuration of space needs to accommodate the primary aisles and exit doors in such a manner that these important elements of evacuation are located in accessible and connected locations within the visual field of the occupants.
Journal of Environmental Design and Planning: ‘Nakhara’, 2019
This study explores the effects of growth on the urban morphology and the land use pattern of a h... more This study explores the effects of growth on the urban morphology and the land use pattern of a historic town Mymensingh, by analyzing the morphological transformation through Space Syntax along with the changes of land-use pattern. Mymensingh is one of the oldest and historic towns of Bangladesh that lies along the river Brahmaputra. This town was developed as an urban conglomeration during the period of the British colonists more than two hundred years ago. Through the juxtaposition of different establishments by the British colonists, local land-lords and local inhabitants at different time periods, a unique type of morphological pattern was created. Local establishments were developed within the organized colonial grids. Through the ages, the town has expanded due to the natural process of growth and change; the small colonial town has become a larger one. According to Space Syntax, urban street configuration is considered as the most dominant factor for spontaneous development of different land-uses - where business and commercial uses naturally develops along the most integrated part of an urban grid. So, there exist a close correlation between urban morphology and land-use patterns. In the study, the effects of growth patterns of the town are analyzed through morphological analysis of Space Syntax at different time periods along with the corresponding land-use patterns. The study result shows that, though the town has expanded over time, still now the core part of the historic town acts as the morphological and functional centre as well. The planning process of such towns should be unique and sensitive considering the inherent morphology and land-use pattern for the sustainable growth of the town in future rather following the usual planning process.
Research Report, Research funded and approed by University Grants Commission (UGC), 2019
RMG sector has made a significant contribution to the socio-economic structure of Bangladesh. How... more RMG sector has made a significant contribution to the socio-economic structure of Bangladesh. However, this sector is subjected to fire hazard which has been identified as one of the major vulnerability of RMG factories causing death to a huge number of workers. According to National Building Code and Safety Guidelines of Labour Law, fire-drill is an important measure which is practiced on a regular interval by the workers to reduce the vulnerability of fire in these factory buildings, under the guidance of Fire Defense Authority. Along with fire fighting measures and regular training, the ‘Spatial Layout’ of a factory building especially its morphology has a significant role to ensure the effectiveness of such fire drills. Spatial Layout indicates the arrangement of fixed building elements like stairs, exit doors, aisles, partitions; and movable elements, like a machine, equipment, furniture, fixture, etc., on the floor plan of the building. As spatial grid is a generator of movement, the spatial layout of factory buildings has significant impact on directing all types of movement of the occupants. It is recognized that a suitable spatial layout may help the process of a fire drill to be more effective, thereby, will reduce the vulnerability in case of fire.
This research has examined the ‘spatial layout’ of RMG factory buildings particularly that of production areas. Observational techniques and Space Syntax methods, both axial and visual graph analysis, have been applied to determine the morphological attributes of exiting spatial layouts and identify possible route of ‘natural movements’ of the occupants. An agent-based simulation is also undertaken following the theory of Space Syntax to identify the possible routes of evacuation movement determined by the spatial grid in relation to exits. Finally, by comparing the observed and simulated movement data in relation to the basic morphological attributes of the spatial layout, this research identified that the significant morphological characteristics, like axial and visual integration as well as connectivity, of a spatial layout bear significant relation with the primary aisles and exit locations. These primary aisles as regular movement routes have significant influence on the cognition of the workers. Being selected as part of evacuation route, these aisles play an important role in preparing an effective evacuation plan of RMG factories in Bangladesh. Moreover, morphological attributes of exits location also have major impact in ensuring safe and effective evacuation. However, the cumulative paths yielded from both conditions, i.e. virtual and observed, differs considerably, which apparently contradicts studies demonstrating that movement patterns in virtual and real conditions correlate. In fact, ‘evacuation movement’ in this study was highly task oriented, i.e. reaching the exit doors within a shortest time, was different from other non-task oriented behaviours. Theoretically evacuation movements supposed to follow restricted routes as oppose to free routes of ‘natural movement’; however, it can be suggested here that in an effective escape route ‘evacuation movement’ should correspond to ‘natural movement’ and inmates would be confident to follow those being familiar because of their regular movement. Moreover, the configuration of space needs to accommodate the primary aisles and exit doors in such a manner that these important elements of evacuation are located in accessible and connected locations within the visual field of the occupants. In addition, length of aisles and the number of turns, particularly near the exits to be supportive to the evacuation process.
In four hundred years history Dhaka has grown from a small trading town to a Megacity. With
the p... more In four hundred years history Dhaka has grown from a small trading town to a Megacity. With the passage of time an organic morphological pattern has been spontaneously developed without any rigid planning proposal. In terms of established planning principles the character of Dhaka is seen as a confused urban sprawl. However, the organic cities reflect the ‘community spirit’, hence the spatial structure of Dhaka is generally developed according to the aspiration of its inhabitants. Within the apparent spatial disorder of the developing city, people must have a territorial need for identity and place. Indeed, the Mohallas, i.e. the historic neighbourhoods in old Dhaka had a territorial base, which revealed a social segregation, symbolised by geographical definition. At present it is urgent to identify the essential components of urban morphology in order to sustain the urban condition necessary for the continuation of our cultural milieu amid rapid urban transformation. The present paper has an abiding interest in analysing the visible form or morphology of the megacity in order to identify its different territorial units having a distinct social as well as spatial identity in the image of its inhabitants. In this pursuit a cognitive search has been undertaken, as it seems imperative to evaluate the city structure from citizen’s standpoint in order to understand their inner logic, both the social and spatial. This research represents a departure from the academic’s city to that of the people who live and work in it. In this paper an urban mosaic as perceived by the inhabitants is tried to be defined from subjective view of the residents’ rather than from the objective social or ecological criterion. The value relates to the fact that it reveals the images of the city of everyday users; therefore, seems to be a way of introducing public participation into design process. It is revealed that the megacity, Dhaka, is being made meaningful by naming, classifying and ordering in a hierarchy of different territorial units in anthropological cognition. Thus it shows that within the apparent morphological disorder in an organic megacity, a tree like mental organisation exists in cognitive image of the inhabitants. Such findings may contradict with theoretical argument that forwards an overlapping spatial structure in organic cities in correspondence to its social realities. In fact, the patterns of social behaviour attribute another level to this hierarchical order of territorial units which is focused in an extended part of the research. However, this present paper only concentrates on the morphological order of the local areas as cognised. It would be a new direction to the authority for sustainable community development and megacity management.
Proceedings of ‘Making built environments responsive’: 8th International Conference of Faculty of Architecture Research Unit (FARU); Organized by University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka; held in Colombo, Sri Lanka , 2015
The pattern of urban growth is dictated by a complex interaction of place-specific factors in ind... more The pattern of urban growth is dictated by a complex interaction of place-specific factors in individual cities including geography, history, lifestyle, economies and administration. City’s natural growth gradually defines its main economic centers and sub-centers according to spatial organization of its urban structure. In some cases of induced development planning, agglomeration of small towns forms a bigger city boundary for administrative operation. Narayanganj city, a port city of Bangladesh, is similar to this case, which was formed by joining three municipalities in 2011. As commercial activities takes place in the most integrated part of a city, administrative agglomeration of small towns largely depends on their economic activity cluster pattern. The spatial parameters of a city can evaluate accumulation of economic activities within an urban structure, in accordance with hierarchical arrangement of centers and sub-centers. Lack of proper agglomeration of economies among centers may cause city malfunctioning. Hence identifying potential sub-centers increases hierarchical connectivity with centers. While analyzing city configuration with Space Syntax theory, movement & commercial growth within a given boundary can be predicted. This paper tries to analyze agglomeration efficiency of economic activities among three municipalities of Narayanganj working as a whole, also study potential sub-center locations for hierarchical city structure as well.
Proceedings of ‘Making built environments responsive’: 8th International Conference of Faculty of Architecture Research Unit (FARU), 2015
Crime like drug dealing in public places of cities is a widespread phenomenon. This paper reports... more Crime like drug dealing in public places of cities is a widespread phenomenon. This paper reports on the findings from the case study on illegal drug crime in one of the prime locations of Narayanganj City Corporation. The physical location of 216 incidents of illegal drug dealing is analyzed here with respect to spatial configuration of streets and corresponding land use. The main focus was on testing the hypothesis supported by the Crime Pattern theory that drug dealing is more likely to happen in areas which are near streets or places that triggers a flow of good number of people at a regular basis. The main tool used in this paper is Space Syntax methodology. Here integration (HH), control and weighted optimal local choice levels of streets at reported locations are considered while using the space syntax methodology. The aim of the paper is to identify the spatial attribute of drug crime locations to help the crime control authorities for identifying crime zones easily so that they can act proactive rather than reactive. Results show that, street accessibility, proximity to specific land use, the number of intersections that need to be crossed to reach a street at a local level and their angle of visibility has a significant effect on location choice of drug dealing. Rational choices (to movement) of streets and mixed-use residential areas with close proximity to poorly integrated streets show more vulnerability for becoming selling point of drugs. Also the streets having drug crime record show an inverse relation between streets control value and weighted choice value at local level. These results indicate that spatial attributes while explored can help to control the potential crimes in cities and create a responsive environment in social terms. FARU International Research Conference 2015 Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
“Making built environments responsive” December 11- 12, 2015,
10th International Space Syntax Symposium SSS10,
Abstract:
The ancient city of Panam was establis... more 10th International Space Syntax Symposium SSS10, Abstract: The ancient city of Panam was established in late 19th century in a non-urban setting in Dhaka region. Panam was famous for cotton manufacturing and trading during British rule. The cotton traders built a good number of closely located and nicely ornamented buildings with narrow street frontage. According to history these buildings were owned by merchants who were absentee landlords, coming Panam once or twice a year. However, history explained little about their life styles and function of these buildings. The buildings apparently similar from outward had a variety in terms of their spatial organizations which remains unexplained without any evidence of their use pattern. Although researchers attempted to classify those buildings into common residential types available in this region, a large number of buildings of Panam remain unexplained due to their idiosyncrasies and dissimilarities with the available types.
In absence of social and functional data, buildings can be defined abstractly as a certain ordering of categories, to which added a certain system of controls, the two conjointly constructing an interface between the inhabitants of the social knowledge embedded in the categories and the visitors who’s relation with them are controlled by the building (Hanson, 1998). Space syntax transforms the buildings into the form of adjacency graphs to represent, quantify and interpret spatial pattern in such a way that their underlying ‘social logic’ is understood. These syntactic statements explain the ‘abstract genotypes’. In search of genotypes, the syntactic data compiled here are compared to find any difference in the spatial organization among the different type of houses of Panam and to explain the ordering of space in these buildings in relation to the prevailing types in Dhaka region.
Among 52 dilapidated buildings of Panam, 22 buildings are analyzed as abstract systems. Apparently the layouts of large houses of Panam, with halls and courtyards, are similar to the urban residential houses of Dhaka region having courtyards with encircling corridors giving access to series of rooms. However, spatial analysis reveals that both the introverted and extroverted houses of Dhaka have a deep uni-linear sequence whereas in the genotypes of Panam that uni-linear sequence is not very common, rather ringiness became the major character. In fact, the houses of Panam have overlapping rings connecting most of the interior spaces along with the exterior suggesting the depth of the buildings of Panam much shallower than the buildings of Dhaka. From graph analysis it is quite clear that the halls were distributed with the exterior in a ring, thus become shallower and easily permeable for the visitors. It can be interpreted as the need of privacy was low indicating that buildings have less residential quality in respect to the socio-cultural background of Dhaka. Interestingly, spatial analysis suggests that the consolidated type buildings with segregated central spaces and integrated frontal rooms are completely different from any prevailing typology of Dhaka. Thus space syntax analysis suggests that perhaps some of the houses of Panam were not residential type; rather they have some other commercial use which is not clear from their history.
9th International Space Syntax Symposium SSS9: Presentation by Dr. Farida Nilufar
ABSTRACT
The ra... more 9th International Space Syntax Symposium SSS9: Presentation by Dr. Farida Nilufar ABSTRACT The rapid population growth along with increased and versatile urban land use patterns has generated substantial travel demand as well as numerous transport problems in Dhaka city. Inadequate urban transport planning and management has resulted in deterioration in accessibility, operational efficiency and urban environment. To solve this hazardous travel environment in metropolitan area, the Strategic Transport Plan has launched with the aim to sidetrack city’s lone dependency on surface transportation system to monorail, metro rail, elevated expressways and inland waterways. Ironically, majority of these solutions could not utilize the cities inherent possibilities; rather they picked up hired solutions. Dhaka city, like many other cities in the world, was crisscrossed by canals and surrounded by rivers. The city itself developed on the bank of river Buriganga and was dependent on water based transportations as an access route to the historic city. But in developing city’s infrastructure, the city authority never followed its integral natural features. Even these canals never played any role by the users to reduce city’s traffic load on surface, so the problem persists. This paper focuses on the possibilities of recent government intervention of Circular Waterways which covers the peripheral water routes of Dhaka city. It also explores the inherent morphological characteristics of the city through reviving present & historic canal networks to serve as an alternative and supplementary transportation system. Finally, the impact on the projected movement pattern of city traffic with an integration of water ways and the land routes has been syntactically analyzed. At present, the city grid with peripheral waterways, encircling the city shows trivial changes in the global movement pattern. The proposed Circular Waterway remains totally segregated from the global integration core due to its physical location and weaker connections with the city grid. However, it is understood that the impact of Circular Waterways in case of Dhaka is much of a ‘by-pass’ route and it will be feasible as a route for commuters without conflicting the city traffic. It is also imperative to incorporate the internal waterways with the street network of the city considering their network connectivity and geographical position. The syntactic analysis reveals that the internal waterways, if revived, have greater influence on the local movement. While being integrated with street network, they will release traffic load from the highly integrated global routes to the less integrated local routes. Based on findings, this paper proposes a revised spatial structure for Dhaka city incorporating the river and canal systems in order to utilize the potential of its natural features towards a sustainable urban transport system. In doing so, Space Syntax methodology has been adopted for analyzing the spatial structure of Dhaka city in present context along with simulated situation through reviving its historic canal systems.
Space Syntax Symposium SSS9, Seoul, 2012, Cities in the delta have unique spatial character being... more Space Syntax Symposium SSS9, Seoul, 2012, Cities in the delta have unique spatial character being criss-crossed by rivers and canals. Keraniganj Upazila of Dhaka District is a settlement surrounded by two big rivers which are again connected by a canal network. The spatial network of Keraniganj, therefore, has got some significance due to it’s connectivity with the water-ways. However, as a result of many insentient manmade efforts, the water-ways of this settlement did not developed to any integrated system with the surface routes. Canals are being used as drainage channels or being filled up. Moreover, seasonal floods have detrimental effects on the land-use and infrastructure. As a result the potential development of Keraniganj is being hampered. A new land-use proposal under Detailed Area Plan (DAP) is in process of implementation. Besides, the inhabitants are trying to develop their own solution through a number of local roads. None of them, the professionals or the locals, ever takes the challenge to live negotiating with nature. It appears that the spatial characteristics of the existing and proposed network need to be explored in order to evolve a sustainable spatial network for Keraniganj.
This paper analyses the existing spatial network of Keraniganj and tries to determine the focal points for land-use development. Taking the exiting and proposed land-use in consideration, a comprehensive spatial network integrating the land with water routes are examined here. Besides, the impact of local roads of different hierarchy, those are developed away from the planning intervention, are also considered in association with the canal network. The total scenario has an incredible drawback due to regular and continuing flood in every year. It appears that the spatial network suffers from a conflicting situation as the integrated core, being located in relatively lower elevations, gets inundated by recurring floods. Some localized solutions are essential to overcome this situation. The canals, perhaps some selected branches, and part of the network of local roads needs to be identified to ensure a useful spatial network of a sustainable settlement. Finally, a sustainable spatial network is proposed for a water-woven geography of Keraniganj, which is integrated with the proposed land-use.
Presented:
Urban Development Directorate (UDD),
GoB for Mymensingh Strategic Development Plan (M... more Presented: Urban Development Directorate (UDD), GoB for Mymensingh Strategic Development Plan (MSDP) Project, 2011-2031, part of Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP-II), GoB. 13 May 2014
Abstract:
Cities are large, apparently complex physical and spatial objects, which is at once a r... more Abstract: Cities are large, apparently complex physical and spatial objects, which is at once a record of the functional processes that historically created it (Hillier, 1996). The buildings and other physical infra-structure which comprise the built-environment are not fixed but affected continuously by dynamic forces of change initiated by public and private interests (Pacione, 2001). Therefore, analysis of urban change involves a study of vertical growth of buildings, increase in housing density, decrease in open spaces and the specific patterns of destruction and survival of buildings, initiated by the interaction between building, land use and other factors associated with the dynamics of urban growth. On the other hand, the dynamic impact of the socio-economic forces acts primarily through the relations between movement and the structure of the urban grid.
One of the fast growing part of Dhaka city is Gulshan and it’s main spine Gulshan Avenue has depicted distinct changes in last few decades. In this paper, the process of change manifested along Gulshan Avenue is explored through the transformation of built-forms and its function and through the emergence of new and novel structures. A chronological development of buildings and their surrounding spaces, lots or parcels, land use intensity and changes in land use are all documented here to explore the dynamic process of urban transformation along Gulshan Avenue with its impact on the physical and functional attributes of the built-environment.
Understanding the various forces in the process of urban transformation, an effort has been made in this paper, to document a detail investigation of changing morphological properties of basic elements of urban form and other variables. The inter-relation between the variables that characterize the morphological transformation along Gulshan Avenue is developed here. It depicts that transformation of spatial configuration of Gulshan residential area generated greater accessibility along Gulshan Avenue and transformed the land use pattern there. Together with this spatial factor, the development of economic activities of the city produced excessive demand on urban land. The quantity and quality of space required for these activities was not conceived in the original structure of Dhaka city. The plots along Gulshan Avenue with the ease of accessibility and higher connectivity provided a higher choice for this process. Therefore, these services started to locate themselves in this urban area, transforming Gulshan Avenue. So, land use, an important variable of morphological transformation is affected primarily by the spatial structure and specific economic demand of this area. Land use, in turn affected the built-form, by re-using or re-building them to accommodate higher order functional activities.
This study revealed that, the structure of the urban grid is the single determinant of urban movement and this relationship had a powerful force in shaping this urban area, by its effect on land use patterns, plot sub-division or amalgamation, building densities, survival and demolition of buildings and mixing of uses. The dynamic relation between all these attributes altogether contributed to the total process of morphological transformation along Gulshan Avenue.
Keywords: Urban Morphology, Morphological Transformation, Built-form Pattern, Land use Pattern, Dhaka City
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Papers by Farida Nilufar
degree of accessibility. In this regard, this study interpolated the street segment values of the angular choice analysis into adjacent street blocks of each center to demonstrate the existing land use distribution in relation to the accessibility condition. The findings have shown that in most centers, the majority of non-residential uses are concentrated in city-level accessible blocks. In contrast, in a few centers, they are primarily concentrated in blocks that are accessible at the local level. The study has also shown that, at either the local or city level, few cases have a higher share of non-residential land uses in the most accessible urban blocks, whereas in most cases, their percentage is moderate or low. The findings can aid in the spatial diagnostics of the spatial grid's accessibility condition for developing suitable urban design or land use planning needed in specific urban centers.
Here, models of the 'axial structure' of the city of Dhaka are developed from cartographic records which cover the period from 1859 to 1991. Thus, the spatial structure of Dhaka City is considered over last century, through the nine different stages of its evolution for which accurate maps exist. Throughout the century, the growing city seems to have exhibited a series of informal and organic spatial patterns. Yet, despite these morphological continuities, major spatial changes at a global scale can be identified through analysis, which can be shown increasingly to have had an impact on the face of the city. Thus, the paper will try to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka at a global scale. The hypothesis guiding this investigation is that the overall spatial structures of the historical and contemporary city of Dhaka can be shown to exhibit objective configurational differences, rather than similarities which have persisted through time. The research aim is therefore to explore and quantify the nature of the spatial transformation which has taken place within the city during this period.
In addition to exploring the spatial measures which result from the use of space syntax, the spatial analysis also reveals how the existing commercial centre systematically loses its importance with each succeeding phase of growth. In the middle stages (1952, 1960, 1973) the global focus of the city shifts from the historic commercial areas of the Islampur Road and the Nawabpur Road towards Motijheel, whilst in the most recent stages of its development, the city again shifts its focus from Motijheel to the new commercial development in the Kawranbazar area. The changing pattern of integration indicates that a constant factor in Dhaka’s growth has been the pull of the new extensions at the periphery, which have brought about changes within the global core of the city with the passage of time. This leads to a conclusion that old city is becoming increasingly segregated from the life of the new core. The core has been more or less static for the last two decades, but major changes in the city morphology are still taking place as new developments are constructed in all the peripheral areas except to the south, the cumulative impact of which may be gradually to draw integration still further away from the historic heart of Dhaka. The implications of this for the long term sustainability old Dhaka are serious, and need to be taken into account in arriving at a strategy for its future conservation.
This analytical paper examines the dynamics of urban growth of Dhaka. Here, models of the 'axial structure' of the city of Dhaka are developed from cartographic records which cover the period from 1859 to 1991. Thus, the spatial structure of Dhaka city is considered over last century, through the eight different stages of its evolution for which accurate maps exist. The paper tries to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka at a global scale. It shows that in the overall growth of the city, Kahn’s Capital Complex has attained immense importance by pulling the global integration core of Dhaka towards north and merging itself into the global core.
This paper will use 'Space Syntax' as a tool in analysing the spatial structure of Dhaka. 'Space Syntax' is a theory and method for investigating the society-space relation, which takes account of the underlying difficulty in illuminating the relationship between social structure and spatial structure. The theory also defines the degree of spatial order which exists in organic and planned layouts, by analysing their spatial configurations to show the relation between local morphological properties and emergent global patterns. The first section of this paper will briefly describe the space syntax method in order to pave the way for the latter part of the text where the method be applied to the case of Dhaka.
This research aims to identify the spatial pattern of the altered morphological character of the domestic space through space syntax analysis using JASS software. Thus, it tries to find out how the altered layout reflected their social realities and how different they are from the original designed apartments in spatial terms. Fifteen apartments have been analyzed through comparing the originally built and altered layouts in relation to users functional and other social needs. The study identified significant changes in the zoning of domestic space. These adaptations have a considerable impact on the morphology of the domestic area, which retained specific characteristics from the original layout but put the apartment together in a new way. Though it is tough to maintain privacy and segregation within this limited space, it is a significant concern to the occupants during the alteration. It is identified that through control of access, use of partitions, and reallocation of activities those small apartments are altered into less ringy and more tree like configurations. All these alterations have significantly modified the integration and control values of different domestic spaces, thus altered the original layouts into a more acceptable one in social and functional terms.
Statistical analysis revealed that the area with higher visual integration and a permeable grid network shows more correspondence with local movement and can be considered to enhance the degree of accessibility to the proposed station and integrate major entrance points of the station. In addition, the observation study suggests that land use factor such as location of high-rise buildings, bus stops, and street vendors also plays an important role as an independent attractor to generate significant movement and creates a multiplier effect which needs further detail research in this regard for a more accurate interpretation of the degree of accessibility. Therefore, through early-stage planning and analysis, the study can help planners and designers to focus on improving the accessibility and locating proposed stations in a context. In addition, space syntax can be used as a scientific tool for assessing the city’s urban grid in data scarce context and support planning process when needed.
Bangladesh, like many countries of the world, has decided to re-open workplaces to continue the economic activities amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we cannot go back to the “normal” until there is some vaccine and widespread testing becomes available; we need a plan for reopening offices considering this transitional stage. In this context, the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) has taken an initiative to prepare a guideline for arrangement of safer workplaces to be adopted by organizations while re-opening the offices in Bangladesh as precautions against COVID-19. This document intends to translate the available knowledge and experiences to provide suggestions and tools that will enable businesses to operate within the pandemic situation. The contents are summarized from national and international literature and guidelines that are applicable in the local context. A team of design professionals, HVAC experts and academicians has prepared, reviewed and edited the document on behalf of IAB.
Editorial Team led by Prof. Farida Nilufar
Design Guideline for Isolation Center is available as Open Source: Institute of Architects Bangladesh. Source: http://www.iab.com.bd/Site/Publication?pid=15
landscape for production, transportation, open space network towards water sensitive urban development. But, city’s present development activities for this part as well as the entire city do not respect the deep geo-morphological nature of the territory. Thus, the city failed to protect and integrate these essential natural water bodies with the built environment and creating adverse effects on flooding, waterlogging and other environmental conditions. To address the present urban crisis associated with water, it is essential to search for strategies to protect the mandatory water bodies and integrate those in the land development process. The traditional way of integrating natural land-water resources for hydrological-ecological performance is required to discover from the territorial settings and incorporate those through strategies. The physiographical characteristics of the land-water interface have a direct reflection of
the regional hydrology. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the physical pattern and process of the water edge from the traditional settlement of the eastern fringe of DMA. A comprehensive framework will be developed to analyze the multiple samples from the study area to extract general landscape practices from the study area. Finally, the identified landscape pattern and processes will be suggested as urban design guidelines which will help in highlighting the possible ways of structuring waterside areas in such deltaic city towards water sensitive urban development.
This research has examined the ‘spatial layout’ of RMG factory buildings particularly that of production areas. Observational techniques and Space Syntax methods, both axial and visual graph analysis, have been applied to determine the morphological attributes of exiting spatial layouts and identify possible route of ‘natural movements’ of the occupants. An agent-based simulation is also undertaken following the theory of Space Syntax to identify the possible routes of evacuation movement determined by the spatial grid in relation to exits. Finally, by comparing the observed and simulated movement data in relation to the basic morphological attributes of the spatial layout, this research identified that the significant morphological characteristics, like axial and visual integration as well as connectivity, of a spatial layout bear significant relation with the primary aisles and exit locations. These primary aisles as regular movement routes have significant influence on the cognition of the workers. Being selected as part of evacuation route, these aisles play an important role in preparing an effective evacuation plan of RMG factories in Bangladesh. Moreover, morphological attributes of exits location also have major impact in ensuring safe and effective evacuation. However, the cumulative paths yielded from both conditions, i.e. virtual and observed, differs considerably, which apparently contradicts studies demonstrating that movement patterns in virtual and real conditions correlate. In fact, ‘evacuation movement’ in this study was highly task oriented, i.e. reaching the exit doors within a shortest time, was different from other non-task oriented behaviours. Theoretically evacuation movements supposed to follow restricted routes as oppose to free routes of ‘natural movement’; however, it can be suggested here that in an effective escape route ‘evacuation movement’ should correspond to ‘natural movement’ and inmates would be confident to follow those being familiar because of their regular movement. Moreover, the configuration of space needs to accommodate the primary aisles and exit doors in such a manner that these important elements of evacuation are located in accessible and connected locations within the visual field of the occupants. In addition, length of aisles and the number of turns, particularly near the exits to be supportive to the evacuation process.
the passage of time an organic morphological pattern has been spontaneously developed
without any rigid planning proposal. In terms of established planning principles the character of
Dhaka is seen as a confused urban sprawl. However, the organic cities reflect the ‘community
spirit’, hence the spatial structure of Dhaka is generally developed according to the aspiration
of its inhabitants. Within the apparent spatial disorder of the developing city, people must have
a territorial need for identity and place. Indeed, the Mohallas, i.e. the historic neighbourhoods
in old Dhaka had a territorial base, which revealed a social segregation, symbolised by
geographical definition. At present it is urgent to identify the essential components of urban
morphology in order to sustain the urban condition necessary for the continuation of our
cultural milieu amid rapid urban transformation.
The present paper has an abiding interest in analysing the visible form or morphology of the
megacity in order to identify its different territorial units having a distinct social as well as
spatial identity in the image of its inhabitants. In this pursuit a cognitive search has been
undertaken, as it seems imperative to evaluate the city structure from citizen’s standpoint in
order to understand their inner logic, both the social and spatial. This research represents a
departure from the academic’s city to that of the people who live and work in it. In this paper
an urban mosaic as perceived by the inhabitants is tried to be defined from subjective view of
the residents’ rather than from the objective social or ecological criterion. The value relates to
the fact that it reveals the images of the city of everyday users; therefore, seems to be a way of
introducing public participation into design process.
It is revealed that the megacity, Dhaka, is being made meaningful by naming, classifying and
ordering in a hierarchy of different territorial units in anthropological cognition. Thus it shows
that within the apparent morphological disorder in an organic megacity, a tree like mental
organisation exists in cognitive image of the inhabitants. Such findings may contradict with
theoretical argument that forwards an overlapping spatial structure in organic cities in
correspondence to its social realities. In fact, the patterns of social behaviour attribute another
level to this hierarchical order of territorial units which is focused in an extended part of the
research. However, this present paper only concentrates on the morphological order of the
local areas as cognised. It would be a new direction to the authority for sustainable community
development and megacity management.
Results show that, street accessibility, proximity to specific land use, the number of intersections that need to be crossed to reach a street at a local level and their angle of visibility has a significant effect on location choice of drug dealing. Rational choices (to movement) of streets and mixed-use residential areas with close proximity to poorly integrated streets show more vulnerability for becoming selling point of drugs. Also the streets having drug crime record show an inverse relation between streets control value and weighted choice value at local level. These results indicate that spatial attributes while explored can help to control the potential crimes in cities and create a responsive environment in social terms.
FARU International Research Conference 2015
Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
“Making built environments responsive”
December 11- 12, 2015,
degree of accessibility. In this regard, this study interpolated the street segment values of the angular choice analysis into adjacent street blocks of each center to demonstrate the existing land use distribution in relation to the accessibility condition. The findings have shown that in most centers, the majority of non-residential uses are concentrated in city-level accessible blocks. In contrast, in a few centers, they are primarily concentrated in blocks that are accessible at the local level. The study has also shown that, at either the local or city level, few cases have a higher share of non-residential land uses in the most accessible urban blocks, whereas in most cases, their percentage is moderate or low. The findings can aid in the spatial diagnostics of the spatial grid's accessibility condition for developing suitable urban design or land use planning needed in specific urban centers.
Here, models of the 'axial structure' of the city of Dhaka are developed from cartographic records which cover the period from 1859 to 1991. Thus, the spatial structure of Dhaka City is considered over last century, through the nine different stages of its evolution for which accurate maps exist. Throughout the century, the growing city seems to have exhibited a series of informal and organic spatial patterns. Yet, despite these morphological continuities, major spatial changes at a global scale can be identified through analysis, which can be shown increasingly to have had an impact on the face of the city. Thus, the paper will try to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka at a global scale. The hypothesis guiding this investigation is that the overall spatial structures of the historical and contemporary city of Dhaka can be shown to exhibit objective configurational differences, rather than similarities which have persisted through time. The research aim is therefore to explore and quantify the nature of the spatial transformation which has taken place within the city during this period.
In addition to exploring the spatial measures which result from the use of space syntax, the spatial analysis also reveals how the existing commercial centre systematically loses its importance with each succeeding phase of growth. In the middle stages (1952, 1960, 1973) the global focus of the city shifts from the historic commercial areas of the Islampur Road and the Nawabpur Road towards Motijheel, whilst in the most recent stages of its development, the city again shifts its focus from Motijheel to the new commercial development in the Kawranbazar area. The changing pattern of integration indicates that a constant factor in Dhaka’s growth has been the pull of the new extensions at the periphery, which have brought about changes within the global core of the city with the passage of time. This leads to a conclusion that old city is becoming increasingly segregated from the life of the new core. The core has been more or less static for the last two decades, but major changes in the city morphology are still taking place as new developments are constructed in all the peripheral areas except to the south, the cumulative impact of which may be gradually to draw integration still further away from the historic heart of Dhaka. The implications of this for the long term sustainability old Dhaka are serious, and need to be taken into account in arriving at a strategy for its future conservation.
This analytical paper examines the dynamics of urban growth of Dhaka. Here, models of the 'axial structure' of the city of Dhaka are developed from cartographic records which cover the period from 1859 to 1991. Thus, the spatial structure of Dhaka city is considered over last century, through the eight different stages of its evolution for which accurate maps exist. The paper tries to pinpoint how the cumulative process of growth and consolidation has influenced the spatial structure of Dhaka at a global scale. It shows that in the overall growth of the city, Kahn’s Capital Complex has attained immense importance by pulling the global integration core of Dhaka towards north and merging itself into the global core.
This paper will use 'Space Syntax' as a tool in analysing the spatial structure of Dhaka. 'Space Syntax' is a theory and method for investigating the society-space relation, which takes account of the underlying difficulty in illuminating the relationship between social structure and spatial structure. The theory also defines the degree of spatial order which exists in organic and planned layouts, by analysing their spatial configurations to show the relation between local morphological properties and emergent global patterns. The first section of this paper will briefly describe the space syntax method in order to pave the way for the latter part of the text where the method be applied to the case of Dhaka.
This research aims to identify the spatial pattern of the altered morphological character of the domestic space through space syntax analysis using JASS software. Thus, it tries to find out how the altered layout reflected their social realities and how different they are from the original designed apartments in spatial terms. Fifteen apartments have been analyzed through comparing the originally built and altered layouts in relation to users functional and other social needs. The study identified significant changes in the zoning of domestic space. These adaptations have a considerable impact on the morphology of the domestic area, which retained specific characteristics from the original layout but put the apartment together in a new way. Though it is tough to maintain privacy and segregation within this limited space, it is a significant concern to the occupants during the alteration. It is identified that through control of access, use of partitions, and reallocation of activities those small apartments are altered into less ringy and more tree like configurations. All these alterations have significantly modified the integration and control values of different domestic spaces, thus altered the original layouts into a more acceptable one in social and functional terms.
Statistical analysis revealed that the area with higher visual integration and a permeable grid network shows more correspondence with local movement and can be considered to enhance the degree of accessibility to the proposed station and integrate major entrance points of the station. In addition, the observation study suggests that land use factor such as location of high-rise buildings, bus stops, and street vendors also plays an important role as an independent attractor to generate significant movement and creates a multiplier effect which needs further detail research in this regard for a more accurate interpretation of the degree of accessibility. Therefore, through early-stage planning and analysis, the study can help planners and designers to focus on improving the accessibility and locating proposed stations in a context. In addition, space syntax can be used as a scientific tool for assessing the city’s urban grid in data scarce context and support planning process when needed.
Bangladesh, like many countries of the world, has decided to re-open workplaces to continue the economic activities amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we cannot go back to the “normal” until there is some vaccine and widespread testing becomes available; we need a plan for reopening offices considering this transitional stage. In this context, the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) has taken an initiative to prepare a guideline for arrangement of safer workplaces to be adopted by organizations while re-opening the offices in Bangladesh as precautions against COVID-19. This document intends to translate the available knowledge and experiences to provide suggestions and tools that will enable businesses to operate within the pandemic situation. The contents are summarized from national and international literature and guidelines that are applicable in the local context. A team of design professionals, HVAC experts and academicians has prepared, reviewed and edited the document on behalf of IAB.
Editorial Team led by Prof. Farida Nilufar
Design Guideline for Isolation Center is available as Open Source: Institute of Architects Bangladesh. Source: http://www.iab.com.bd/Site/Publication?pid=15
landscape for production, transportation, open space network towards water sensitive urban development. But, city’s present development activities for this part as well as the entire city do not respect the deep geo-morphological nature of the territory. Thus, the city failed to protect and integrate these essential natural water bodies with the built environment and creating adverse effects on flooding, waterlogging and other environmental conditions. To address the present urban crisis associated with water, it is essential to search for strategies to protect the mandatory water bodies and integrate those in the land development process. The traditional way of integrating natural land-water resources for hydrological-ecological performance is required to discover from the territorial settings and incorporate those through strategies. The physiographical characteristics of the land-water interface have a direct reflection of
the regional hydrology. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the physical pattern and process of the water edge from the traditional settlement of the eastern fringe of DMA. A comprehensive framework will be developed to analyze the multiple samples from the study area to extract general landscape practices from the study area. Finally, the identified landscape pattern and processes will be suggested as urban design guidelines which will help in highlighting the possible ways of structuring waterside areas in such deltaic city towards water sensitive urban development.
This research has examined the ‘spatial layout’ of RMG factory buildings particularly that of production areas. Observational techniques and Space Syntax methods, both axial and visual graph analysis, have been applied to determine the morphological attributes of exiting spatial layouts and identify possible route of ‘natural movements’ of the occupants. An agent-based simulation is also undertaken following the theory of Space Syntax to identify the possible routes of evacuation movement determined by the spatial grid in relation to exits. Finally, by comparing the observed and simulated movement data in relation to the basic morphological attributes of the spatial layout, this research identified that the significant morphological characteristics, like axial and visual integration as well as connectivity, of a spatial layout bear significant relation with the primary aisles and exit locations. These primary aisles as regular movement routes have significant influence on the cognition of the workers. Being selected as part of evacuation route, these aisles play an important role in preparing an effective evacuation plan of RMG factories in Bangladesh. Moreover, morphological attributes of exits location also have major impact in ensuring safe and effective evacuation. However, the cumulative paths yielded from both conditions, i.e. virtual and observed, differs considerably, which apparently contradicts studies demonstrating that movement patterns in virtual and real conditions correlate. In fact, ‘evacuation movement’ in this study was highly task oriented, i.e. reaching the exit doors within a shortest time, was different from other non-task oriented behaviours. Theoretically evacuation movements supposed to follow restricted routes as oppose to free routes of ‘natural movement’; however, it can be suggested here that in an effective escape route ‘evacuation movement’ should correspond to ‘natural movement’ and inmates would be confident to follow those being familiar because of their regular movement. Moreover, the configuration of space needs to accommodate the primary aisles and exit doors in such a manner that these important elements of evacuation are located in accessible and connected locations within the visual field of the occupants. In addition, length of aisles and the number of turns, particularly near the exits to be supportive to the evacuation process.
the passage of time an organic morphological pattern has been spontaneously developed
without any rigid planning proposal. In terms of established planning principles the character of
Dhaka is seen as a confused urban sprawl. However, the organic cities reflect the ‘community
spirit’, hence the spatial structure of Dhaka is generally developed according to the aspiration
of its inhabitants. Within the apparent spatial disorder of the developing city, people must have
a territorial need for identity and place. Indeed, the Mohallas, i.e. the historic neighbourhoods
in old Dhaka had a territorial base, which revealed a social segregation, symbolised by
geographical definition. At present it is urgent to identify the essential components of urban
morphology in order to sustain the urban condition necessary for the continuation of our
cultural milieu amid rapid urban transformation.
The present paper has an abiding interest in analysing the visible form or morphology of the
megacity in order to identify its different territorial units having a distinct social as well as
spatial identity in the image of its inhabitants. In this pursuit a cognitive search has been
undertaken, as it seems imperative to evaluate the city structure from citizen’s standpoint in
order to understand their inner logic, both the social and spatial. This research represents a
departure from the academic’s city to that of the people who live and work in it. In this paper
an urban mosaic as perceived by the inhabitants is tried to be defined from subjective view of
the residents’ rather than from the objective social or ecological criterion. The value relates to
the fact that it reveals the images of the city of everyday users; therefore, seems to be a way of
introducing public participation into design process.
It is revealed that the megacity, Dhaka, is being made meaningful by naming, classifying and
ordering in a hierarchy of different territorial units in anthropological cognition. Thus it shows
that within the apparent morphological disorder in an organic megacity, a tree like mental
organisation exists in cognitive image of the inhabitants. Such findings may contradict with
theoretical argument that forwards an overlapping spatial structure in organic cities in
correspondence to its social realities. In fact, the patterns of social behaviour attribute another
level to this hierarchical order of territorial units which is focused in an extended part of the
research. However, this present paper only concentrates on the morphological order of the
local areas as cognised. It would be a new direction to the authority for sustainable community
development and megacity management.
Results show that, street accessibility, proximity to specific land use, the number of intersections that need to be crossed to reach a street at a local level and their angle of visibility has a significant effect on location choice of drug dealing. Rational choices (to movement) of streets and mixed-use residential areas with close proximity to poorly integrated streets show more vulnerability for becoming selling point of drugs. Also the streets having drug crime record show an inverse relation between streets control value and weighted choice value at local level. These results indicate that spatial attributes while explored can help to control the potential crimes in cities and create a responsive environment in social terms.
FARU International Research Conference 2015
Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
“Making built environments responsive”
December 11- 12, 2015,
Abstract:
The ancient city of Panam was established in late 19th century in a non-urban setting in Dhaka region. Panam was famous for cotton manufacturing and trading during British rule. The cotton traders built a good number of closely located and nicely ornamented buildings with narrow street frontage. According to history these buildings were owned by merchants who were absentee landlords, coming Panam once or twice a year. However, history explained little about their life styles and function of these buildings. The buildings apparently similar from outward had a variety in terms of their spatial organizations which remains unexplained without any evidence of their use pattern. Although researchers attempted to classify those buildings into common residential types available in this region, a large number of buildings of Panam remain unexplained due to their idiosyncrasies and dissimilarities with the available types.
In absence of social and functional data, buildings can be defined abstractly as a certain ordering of categories, to which added a certain system of controls, the two conjointly constructing an interface between the inhabitants of the social knowledge embedded in the categories and the visitors who’s relation with them are controlled by the building (Hanson, 1998). Space syntax transforms the buildings into the form of adjacency graphs to represent, quantify and interpret spatial pattern in such a way that their underlying ‘social logic’ is understood. These syntactic statements explain the ‘abstract genotypes’. In search of genotypes, the syntactic data compiled here are compared to find any difference in the spatial organization among the different type of houses of Panam and to explain the ordering of space in these buildings in relation to the prevailing types in Dhaka region.
Among 52 dilapidated buildings of Panam, 22 buildings are analyzed as abstract systems. Apparently the layouts of large houses of Panam, with halls and courtyards, are similar to the urban residential houses of Dhaka region having courtyards with encircling corridors giving access to series of rooms. However, spatial analysis reveals that both the introverted and extroverted houses of Dhaka have a deep uni-linear sequence whereas in the genotypes of Panam that uni-linear sequence is not very common, rather ringiness became the major character. In fact, the houses of Panam have overlapping rings connecting most of the interior spaces along with the exterior suggesting the depth of the buildings of Panam much shallower than the buildings of Dhaka. From graph analysis it is quite clear that the halls were distributed with the exterior in a ring, thus become shallower and easily permeable for the visitors. It can be interpreted as the need of privacy was low indicating that buildings have less residential quality in respect to the socio-cultural background of Dhaka. Interestingly, spatial analysis suggests that the consolidated type buildings with segregated central spaces and integrated frontal rooms are completely different from any prevailing typology of Dhaka. Thus space syntax analysis suggests that perhaps some of the houses of Panam were not residential type; rather they have some other commercial use which is not clear from their history.
ABSTRACT
The rapid population growth along with increased and versatile urban land use patterns has generated substantial travel demand as well as numerous transport problems in Dhaka city. Inadequate urban transport planning and management has resulted in deterioration in accessibility, operational efficiency and urban environment. To solve this hazardous travel environment in metropolitan area, the Strategic Transport Plan has launched with the aim to sidetrack city’s lone dependency on surface transportation system to monorail, metro rail, elevated expressways and inland waterways. Ironically, majority of these solutions could not utilize the cities inherent possibilities; rather they picked up hired solutions. Dhaka city, like many other cities in the world, was crisscrossed by canals and surrounded by rivers. The city itself developed on the bank of river Buriganga and was dependent on water based transportations as an access route to the historic city. But in developing city’s infrastructure, the city authority never followed its integral natural features. Even these canals never played any role by the users to reduce city’s traffic load on surface, so the problem persists.
This paper focuses on the possibilities of recent government intervention of Circular Waterways which covers the peripheral water routes of Dhaka city. It also explores the inherent morphological characteristics of the city through reviving present & historic canal networks to serve as an alternative and supplementary transportation system. Finally, the impact on the projected movement pattern of city traffic with an integration of water ways and the land routes has been syntactically analyzed. At present, the city grid with peripheral waterways, encircling the city shows trivial changes in the global movement pattern. The proposed Circular Waterway remains totally segregated from the global integration core due to its physical location and weaker connections with the city grid. However, it is understood that the impact of Circular Waterways in case of Dhaka is much of a ‘by-pass’ route and it will be feasible as a route for commuters without conflicting the city traffic. It is also imperative to incorporate the internal waterways with the street network of the city considering their network connectivity and geographical position. The syntactic analysis reveals that the internal waterways, if revived, have greater influence on the local movement. While being integrated with street network, they will release traffic load from the highly integrated global routes to the less integrated local routes. Based on findings, this paper proposes a revised spatial structure for Dhaka city incorporating the river and canal systems in order to utilize the potential of its natural features towards a sustainable urban transport system. In doing so, Space Syntax methodology has been adopted for analyzing the spatial structure of Dhaka city in present context along with simulated situation through reviving its historic canal systems.
This paper analyses the existing spatial network of Keraniganj and tries to determine the focal points for land-use development. Taking the exiting and proposed land-use in consideration, a comprehensive spatial network integrating the land with water routes are examined here. Besides, the impact of local roads of different hierarchy, those are developed away from the planning intervention, are also considered in association with the canal network. The total scenario has an incredible drawback due to regular and continuing flood in every year. It appears that the spatial network suffers from a conflicting situation as the integrated core, being located in relatively lower elevations, gets inundated by recurring floods. Some localized solutions are essential to overcome this situation. The canals, perhaps some selected branches, and part of the network of local roads needs to be identified to ensure a useful spatial network of a sustainable settlement. Finally, a sustainable spatial network is proposed for a water-woven geography of Keraniganj, which is integrated with the proposed land-use.
Urban Development Directorate (UDD),
GoB for Mymensingh Strategic Development Plan (MSDP) Project, 2011-2031, part of Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP-II), GoB. 13 May 2014
Cities are large, apparently complex physical and spatial objects, which is at once a record of the functional processes that historically created it (Hillier, 1996). The buildings and other physical infra-structure which comprise the built-environment are not fixed but affected continuously by dynamic forces of change initiated by public and private interests (Pacione, 2001). Therefore, analysis of urban change involves a study of vertical growth of buildings, increase in housing density, decrease in open spaces and the specific patterns of destruction and survival of buildings, initiated by the interaction between building, land use and other factors associated with the dynamics of urban growth. On the other hand, the dynamic impact of the socio-economic forces acts primarily through the relations between movement and the structure of the urban grid.
One of the fast growing part of Dhaka city is Gulshan and it’s main spine Gulshan Avenue has depicted distinct changes in last few decades. In this paper, the process of change manifested along Gulshan Avenue is explored through the transformation of built-forms and its function and through the emergence of new and novel structures. A chronological development of buildings and their surrounding spaces, lots or parcels, land use intensity and changes in land use are all documented here to explore the dynamic process of urban transformation along Gulshan Avenue with its impact on the physical and functional attributes of the built-environment.
Understanding the various forces in the process of urban transformation, an effort has been made in this paper, to document a detail investigation of changing morphological properties of basic elements of urban form and other variables. The inter-relation between the variables that characterize the morphological transformation along Gulshan Avenue is developed here. It depicts that transformation of spatial configuration of Gulshan residential area generated greater accessibility along Gulshan Avenue and transformed the land use pattern there. Together with this spatial factor, the development of economic activities of the city produced excessive demand on urban land. The quantity and quality of space required for these activities was not conceived in the original structure of Dhaka city. The plots along Gulshan Avenue with the ease of accessibility and higher connectivity provided a higher choice for this process. Therefore, these services started to locate themselves in this urban area, transforming Gulshan Avenue. So, land use, an important variable of morphological transformation is affected primarily by the spatial structure and specific economic demand of this area. Land use, in turn affected the built-form, by re-using or re-building them to accommodate higher order functional activities.
This study revealed that, the structure of the urban grid is the single determinant of urban movement and this relationship had a powerful force in shaping this urban area, by its effect on land use patterns, plot sub-division or amalgamation, building densities, survival and demolition of buildings and mixing of uses. The dynamic relation between all these attributes altogether contributed to the total process of morphological transformation along Gulshan Avenue.
Keywords: Urban Morphology, Morphological Transformation, Built-form Pattern, Land use Pattern, Dhaka City